Preparation and Application of Curcumin-loaded Polydopamine Hollow Microspheres as an Antimicrobial Agent

OBJECTIVE  To achieve combined antibacterial activity by utilizing the drug-carrying capacity of polydopamine(PDA) hollow microspheres to load curcumin(CUR).

METHODS  PDA hollow microspheres were synthesized using the self-sacrificial template method, and the CUR@PDA antimicrobial agent was prepared by loading CUR into both the internal space and onto the surface of the microspheres. HPLC investigation were conducted, and experimental protocols were optimized by varying the concentration of CUR, the mass ratio, and the loading time. Characterization of the materials was accomplished using transmission electron microscope, UV-visible spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry. The antibacterial performance of the synthesized composite antibacterial agent was evaluated through assays measuring the lowest inhibitory concentration, inhibitory circle formation, and inhibitory rate, with further exploration into the inhibitory mechanism.

RESULTS The HPLC analysis method for CUR exhibited excellent stability, while the CUR@PDA antimicrobial agent demonstrated a high encapsulation rate(95.82%). Characterization techniques successfully confirmed the synthesis of CUR@PDA. Antibacterial experiments revealed the efficacy of the CUR@PDA antimicrobial agent against Staphylococcus aureus(the minimum inhibitory concentration was 125 µg·mL⁻¹) and Escherichia coli(the minimuminhibitory concentration was 250 µg·mL⁻¹).

CONCLUSION  The synthesized antimicrobial agent exhibits a high encapsulation rate and loading rate, along with remarkable antimicrobial efficacy. This advancement significantly presents a novel approach for the antimicrobial application of CUR.